We hope to have our first launch and actual implementation on or before the middle of the year, 2011. We are working closely with the different distribution utilities around the country. There are pilot runs in Luzon and Mindanao and soon in the Visayas. All of the roll-outs will depend on the approval of the ERC.

B. GOING PREPAID AND REVERTING TO POST PAID

No, Prepaid service is on a voluntary basis. Customers have the option to apply for Prepaid service for a period of six months, on a TRIAL basis. This is to enable the customer to assess the impact of using the Prepaid service.

After the six-month trial period, the customer who chooses to go into Prepaid service shall enter into a contract with the Distribution Utility with a retention period of 24 months. After the 24-month lock-in period, the customer may revert back to postpaid. Should the customer decide to go back to Prepaid, he/she is committed again to complete the 24-month lock-in period. There is no lock-in period for postpaid. However, all outstanding obligations must be settled with the Distribution Utility first before getting into Prepaid.

Your electric cooperative or your distribution utility will announce the availability of the Prepaid service in your area. Customers will have the option to apply for a Prepaid retail electric service on a voluntary basis, subject to its availability in your locality.

C. GOVERNMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Current Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ruling says that there should be no charge for the Prepaid meter. For the Prepaid meter, since this is a special meter that carries special features that can help consumers manage their electricity bills better, ERC is studying the best way to address this matter. We will publish the final ruling of ERC regarding this matter as soon as it is official on our website.

D. E-LOAD AVAILABILITY / E-LOAD BALANCE

It is conveniently available in the sari-sari stores in your neighborhood where you also buy your cell phone electronic load.

All you need to do is give your meter number and corresponding amount to purchase your electricity load. Purchase will be made through mobile phone transaction in the sari-sari store just like the ordinary mobile e-load.

Currently, only Php100.00 denominations are available. As the need arises, we may create lower or higher denominations. A transaction fee of Php10.00 will be required for every Php100.00 electric load that is purchased.

As a special feature, there will be NO disconnection between 4pm up to 9am. However, it is expected that you will buy your electric-load as soon as the sari-sari store opens. If the system does not receive any reload by 9am, your electricity will be cut.

Whatever amount of load that you used overnight will be automatically deducted from the amount you loaded by 9am.

The Prepaid system is designed to address the once-a-month woes of a lot of our countrymen. Instead of worrying about electric bills that is difficult to pay, the Prepaid system allows the consumer to buy in smaller denominations i.e. Php100.00 equivalent to 3 days consumption of electricity, depending on the power usage. Therefore electric power becomes AFFORDABLE.

The Prepaid system also makes it convenient for the consumer because you can now buy your e-loads from the sari-sari store in your neighborhood. Prepaid e-loads are very ACCESSIBLE to everyone.

Prepaid electric system is also very SIMPLE to use. You can top-up your Prepaid meter just like getting a load for your mobile. You just have to give your meter number and the corresponding amount to the sari-sari store and in 7 minutes or less, your Prepaid meter is already loaded.